Tea gown

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Liberty & Co. tea gown of figured silk twill, c. 1887. Los Angeles County Museum of Art, M.2007.211.901. Liberty and Company tea gown c. 1887.jpg
Liberty & Co. tea gown of figured silk twill, c. 1887. Los Angeles County Museum of Art, M.2007.211.901.

A tea gown or tea-gown is a woman's dress for informal entertaining at home. These dresses, which became popular around the mid-19th century, are characterized by unstructured lines and light fabrics. Early tea gowns were a European development influenced by Asian clothing and historical approach from the 18th century which led to the renaissance time period of long and flowing sleeves. [1] [2] Women, as a strict rule, never upon any circumstance would wear a traditional hat or veil whilst inside and consuming tea and cakes in mid afternoon traditions. Part of this European sense of fashion came from the Japanese kimono. [3]

Tea gowns were intended to be worn without a corset or assistance from the maid; however, elegance always came first. [4]

During the 19th century, it was not appropriate for women to be seen in public wearing a tea gown. [4] They were intended to be worn indoors with family and close friends during a dinner party. [4] [5]

Although tea gowns were meant for midday wear, they could be worn into the evening. [5] Women started wearing tea gowns in the evening for dinner or certain events at home with close friends and family by 1900. [5] Tea gowns intended for day wear usually had high necks, while evening tea gowns had lower necks. [5]

"Emily Post’s book, Etiquette in Society, in Business, in Politics, and at Home , contains some fascinating information on tea gowns; in fact, her introduction on tea gowns reads like a 19th Century novel." [6]

Notes

  1. Takeda and Spilker (2010), p. 112
  2. Vic (5 February 2012). "Downton Abbey Season 2: Teagowns and relaxation". Jane Austen's World. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
  3. Favors, LaTasha. "Japanese Kimono History". USA TODAY. Archived from the original on 2017-06-08. Retrieved 2013-08-14.
  4. 1 2 3 "Terminology: What is a tea gown?". The Dreamstress. June 14, 2012.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Post, Emily (1922). "Dress". Etiquette in society, in business, in politics and at home. Funk & Wagnalls Company.
  6. "Tea gowns are not for tea parties". T Ching. 2012-01-19. Retrieved 2021-11-08.

References